Abstract: A software architecture for the hot add and swap of adapters. The software architecture allows users to replace failed components, upgrade outdated components, and add new functionality, such as new network interfaces, disk interface adapters and storage, without impacting existing users. The software architecture supports the hot add and swap of off-the-shelf adapters, including those adapters that are programmable.

Abstract: A shuttle assembly for handling trays of IC packages. The shuttle assembly is configured to accept cooperatively-configured trays in a vertically-extending tray stack volume in only a single rotational orientation. Trays are selectively released from or accepted by the tray stack volume by operation of selectively extendable and retractable tray support elements driven by actuators, which may comprise air cylinders. A lift mechanism for raising and lowering a tray in alignment with the tray stack volume may be included. A method of operation of the shuttle assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of reporting a system failure in a server system, which includes the following acts: detecting a system failure condition; transmitting failure information related to the failure condition to a system recorder; storing the failure information into a system log; sending an event signal to a system interface; and reporting an occurrence of an event to a central processing unit of the server system.

Abstract: A configuration management system and method for adding or replacing devices in a bus in a computer system. The configuration system creates and maintains a memory structure having bus and device configuration information. The system includes a configuration manager which creates a memory structure containing configuration information for a bus and devices located on the bus within the computer system in which it operates. When a device on the bus is replaced, the configuration manager retrieves the configuration information for the replacement device from the memory structure and uses that information to configure the replacement device. In another aspect of the invention, when a device is added on the bus in the computer system, the configuration manager retrieves selected configuration information for the added device from the memory structure and uses that information to configure the added device.

Abstract: An ergonomic work station is disclosed which is comprised of a chair, at least one keyboard section and at least one support assembly. Initially, the support assembly connects the chair to the keyboard section. The support assembly is also movable between a first orientation and a second orientation such that the keyboard section in the first orientation extends outward from the chair in a plane generally parallel to the floor, and the keyboard section in the second orientation extends downward in a plane generally perpendicular to the floor. A method of using an ergonomic work station is also disclosed comprising the acts of positioning at least one keyboard section in a first orientation, wherein the keyboard section is positioned so as to extend generally horizontally outward from a user with the keys facing upwards when a user is using the workstation, and manipulating the keys on the at least one keyboard section.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for installing and grounding a motherboard in a chassis of a computer. In one embodiment of the invention, a computer chassis includes a movable cover plate having a grounding contact. The cover plate is releasably attachable to a panel of the chassis and covers an input/output aperture in a chassis panel. The cover plate is movable to a first position in which the cover plate closes the input/output aperture in the panel and the grounding contact on the cover plate engages a ground contact on a motherboard installed in the chassis. The cover plate is also moveable to a second position in which a fastening portion of the cover plate is disengaged from the panel and the grounding contact is disengaged from the ground contact on the motherboard. When the cover plate is in the disengaged position, the motherboard can pass into or out of the component cavity of the chassis without contacting the grounding contact of the cover plate.

Abstract: A system for configuring peer devices without unnecessary delay in boot up time by using a compatibility bridge. Upon initiating a configuration cycle, a BIOS initialization scans all peer devices located on the host bus. A watchdog timer times out after a predetermined duration when the intended device fails to respond to the configuration cycle. A bit associated with the particular device is set in a scorecard register. The compatibility bridge responds to the configuration cycle after the time-out period.

Abstract: A system for estimating the total usage of computer system resources by all users with access to those resources, performed in such a way that desired demographic information is available and computer users are not deterred from using the resource by the usage estimation techniques.

Abstract: A method for generating a printable report is disclosed. The method includes executing program instructions obtained from a host computer on a client computer remote from the host computer to generate reportable data; creating a report document including the reportable data on the client computer; and creating a virtual address corresponding to the location of the report on the client computer.

Abstract: A software architecture for the hot add and swap of I2O compliant input/output platform and adapters. The software architecture allows users to replace failed components, upgrade outdated components, and add new functionality, such as new network interfaces, disk interface adapters and storage, without impacting existing users. The software architecture supports the hot add and swap of off-the-shelf adapters, including those adapters that are programmable.

Abstract: A method of communication between requester and target devices in a computer system having a multiple bus architecture. The method supports deferred transactions of cache line read requests over a host bus, e.g., the Pentium II or Pentium Pro (P6) bus. The method employs a host bridge to issue deferred transactions over the P6 bus without interrupting or involving the main processor. The method comprises the act of establishing a handshake with a host master and issuing a request over the host bus. The method further comprises the act of acknowledging the request and transmitting a deferred response to the requester.

Abstract: Minitower computers and housings for protecting the internal and external hardware components of minitower computers. In one embodiment, a minitower computer housing includes a component panel, an under section extending rearwardly from the component panel, and a cover section connected to the component panel and the under section. The housing of this embodiment also includes a first tilt member depending from the under section to tilt the front panel. The first tilt member includes a vent to provide airflow through the computer housing. The first tilt member, for example, can have a front surface extending downwardly from the component panel to a bottom region and a back surface extending upwardly from the bottom region to the under section. The vent can be an opening in the back surface of the tilt member to direct sound waves rearwardly away from a user.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pin deforming apparatus for deforming a normally straight pin for use in an electrical connection, wherein the apparatus includes a frame, a die coupled to the frame and an operating member coupled to the frame and die, whereby moving the operating member moves the die into contact with the pin sufficiently to bend at least a part of it. The invention encompasses a method of deforming a pin, as well as a method of making an electrical connection using a deformed pin.

Abstract: A method for creating an on-line book with an animated cover. The method includes a process for inserting an animation sequence at the beginning of an on-line book which is compiled into the M14 format. The method includes modifying a plurality of control files for an on-line book compiler so as to provide an animated display object upon the opening of the on-line book which is compiled with the computer.

Abstract: A software architecture for the hot add and swap of adapters. The software architecture allows users to replace failed components, upgrade outdated components, and add new functionality, such as new network interfaces, disk interface adapters and storage, without impacting existing users. The software architecture supports the hot add and swap of off-the-shelf adapters, including those adapters that are programmable.

Abstract: A power management apparatus includes a power source, a detection circuit to generate a first signal indicating the power transferred to a portion of a computer system from the power source, and a control circuit to generate at least one control signal to effect a power management action based on the first signal. A program storage device (readable by a programmable control device) includes instructions to manage power in a computer system. The program storage device includes instructions to receive a power signal from a power source (the power signal furnishing power to a portion of the computer system), generate a first signal indicating the power transferred from the power source to the portion of the computer system, and generate a second signal to effect a power management action based on the first signal.

Abstract: The invention configures an asynchronous system to emulate a synchronous system. When an application initiates a synchronous transaction, the synchronous transaction is received by the synchronous interface. The synchronous interface, in turn, simulates a synchronous system while performing an asynchronous transaction. In one embodiment, the synchronous interface ensures that the asynchronous transaction is completed within a configurable maximum time duration. If the asynchronous transaction has not been completed with within the defined maximum time duration, the synchronous interface notifies the application that the desired data is not available. In another embodiment, the synchronous interface can be configured to re-execute failed asynchronous transactions.

Abstract: A method for operating a keyboard for a hand-held computer. In one embodiment, the keyboard includes first and second portions that are removably coupled to each other. The method can include removably coupling the second portion to one part of the first portion to block access to input keys of the first portion, and can further include removably attaching the second portion to another part of the first portion to allow access to the input keys, forming a full-size keyboard for a hand-held device. The second portion can be inverted to allow access to input keys on either a top or bottom surface of the second portion, and can also be pivoted relative to the first portion about an axis that is generally perpendicular to an upper surface of the first portion.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing data retrieval rates for constant angular velocity and hybrid constant linear velocity/constant angular velocity CD-ROM drives. The data stored on CD-ROMs is normally placed starting with the innermost tracks and proceeding outward to the edge of the disk. Any unused or spare capacity occurs as an unused band at the outer edge of the disk. Because access times for files greater than a certain threshold size decrease with increasing radius at which the files are located on a CD-ROM for constant angular velocity and hybrid constant linear velocity/constant angular velocity CD-ROM drives, placing data files at the outer portions of the CD-ROM and leaving unused spare capacity towards the center of the CD-ROM will give better data retrieval rates when the CD-ROM is read in constant angular velocity or hybrid constant linear velocity/constant angular velocity CD-ROM drives.

Abstract: A method of automatically configuring a server system after a device has been hot added to the system, which includes the following acts: automatically detecting the hot added device; automatically configuring the device; automatically identifying a device type for the device; automatically determining the location where the device has been hot added; automatically loading a driver corresponding to the hot added device; and automatically modifying a configuration file so as to integrate the hot added device into the system.